3D-GEO has enthusiastic growth plans for 2005 and has started the year with a move to a new Melbourne CBD location at 45 William Street in Melbourne's CBD, and is in the process of incorporating to 3D-GEO Pty Ltd.

Computing facilities and software packages, formerly based at the geophysical laboratory at the University of Melbourne, are now relocated to this facility. Current plans are to grow the former four-person partnership to eight or ten persons to expand the company's structural geology and geophysical services.

3D-GEO began in 2001 as a partnership based at Melbourne University offering consultant services specialising in structural geology and interpretation solutions in structurally complex terrains. Since then, they have expanded into acreage management, risk analysis, basin modelling and reservoir-scale 3D modelling. The principals provide a healthy mix of industry and academic seniority with youthful eagerness injecting cutting edge technological capabilities. That profile is set to grow further in 2005.

Personnel

3D-GEO has engaged Dr George J. Carman to provide General Manager Consultant services, responsible for contracts and new business development. Carman brings 30 years geological experience as a consultant in both senior management and executive positions within the oil and gas industry. He has managed E&P projects in Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Pakistan, Kuwait, North Sea and Alaska, representing multinationals and state-owned government organisations. He was the Exploration Director of the ASX-listed Austin Oil NL in 1987-1995.

Carman claims to be the first and only foreigner to have scaled PNG's Aure Scarp, which he did 20 years ago. As an experienced climber and trekker his current hobby is seeking the source of salajit, the elixir of life that oozes from rocks in the North West Frontier, Pakistan.

Nick Hoffman spent much of 2004 in Kuala Lumpur managing client's integrated exploration programmes and studies. Hoffman has over 20 years experience in the geophysical world. Having studied Mars to its core, his pet pursuit at present is a monster motorised bike which he declares accelerates his project deliveries.

Jeff Keetley is also Melbourne based and, in addition to his geological specialties in 3D structural modelling, provides vital IT support for 3D-GEO. He can also supply hard-earned advice about cutting rocks with diamond-tipped chainsaws - one of the more spectacular projects he has been involved in - all for the sake of structural geology!

Dan Kendrick heads up the 3D-GEO office in Brisbane and his key skills are in unravelling, modelling and restoring fold-and-thrust belts. Another specialty is the supervision of field data gathering surveys and their structural analysis based on his experiences throughout 'Greater Papua'. Kendrick has been providing services to operators in the Papuan oil belt and has a string of successes to his name. He has been known to wade through oil seeps to collect samples for clients and can show you the T-shirt to prove it!

Kevin Hill, formerly a prominent figure at 3D-GEO, wishes to spend more time with his family and to focus on his new role of Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne. To achieve this he has elected not to continue with 3D-GEO in its re-organisation.

In addition to the above principals, 3D-GEO utilises a network of experienced G&G professionals across Australasia and are always looking for more associates to join them.

Services

From the early days, 3D-GEO was identified as a niche geological and geophysical consultancy providing specialist services to the petroleum industry.

In addition to 2D and 3D structural modelling, validation and restoration, services include basin reviews, prospect generation, prospect review and evaluation, data-room / farmout evaluation, probabilistic reserves presentation, prospect inventory management, seismic interpretation, quality control, basin structural-hydrodynamic studies and well planning and monitoring. A recent trend has been the provision of seismic interpretation and structural modelling services for mining companies.